Inspired Insider With Dr. Jeremy Weisz | Ecommerce Interviews | Entrepreneurship | Inspirational Stories | Business Lessons

Grace Erickson is the CEO of Zing Bars, a chocolate brand that creates nourishing wellness bars for health-conscious consumers. She has a wealth of experience in general management, marketing, operations, accounting and finance, and HR/IT. Grace has a proven track record of creating, planning, and building processes, metrics, and projects for small and medium businesses. She also serves on the board of directors at American Licorice Company.  In this episode… Do you have a sweet tooth for chocolate? As a mindful nosher, where can you get healthy and delicious chocolate bars you can enjoy? Nowadays, people are becoming cautious of what they consume. Health-conscious snackers are increasingly seeking nutrient-dense snacks. However, most of the available healthy snacks are less tasty. Grace Erickson shares their journey of creating wellness bars that are low-glycemic and free from wheat, gluten, soy, and any artificial ingredients or additives to provide a tasty and satisfying snack that's perfect for people on

Christopher Warman Sr. is the CEO of Chocolate Moonshine, a gourmet fudge, chocolate, and hand-painted truffle bar manufacturer. Using traditional cooking methods, Chocolate Moonshine uses French and Belgian chocolate, Madagascar vanilla, and pure sugar cane ingredients to make delicious confections. Chris began a career in confectionery in 1983 and has since been recognized as a leader in the fudge category. He also has over three decades of experience in manufacturing, retail, and wholesale distribution. In this episode… Do you have a sweet tooth for chocolate? Are you looking for the best places to buy delicious fudge and chocolate? Despite the growing awareness of potential health issues, people still crave delicious food. For chocolate lovers, Christopher Warman Sr. recommends purchasing confections from brands that prioritize healthy, pure, and fresh ingredients in their fudges. He shares his journey of becoming a leading figure in the gourmet fudge and truffle bar industry. In this episode of the Inspi

Shane Robbins is the Owner of Bulk Wild Bison, a brand that produces high-quality bison meat that's healthy and incredibly tasty. He is an industry expert in bison production and spends most of his time caring for his herds. Before Bulk Wild Bison, Shane worked for Coca-Cola as a merchandiser salesperson for 15 years.  Michael Goldstein is the Co-founder and President of Shrewd Food, a brand that offers hi-protein, low-carb, low-fat, and keto-friendly snacks across the globe. He is a dynamic, multi-faceted professional and leader with over 25 years of experience in product development, commercialization, co-packing, global key account sales management, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning. Michael is also a partner at Clever Cookie Corp and has a culinary and pastry background that adds to his resourceful executive skills. In this episode… Are you aspiring to be an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry? What can you learn from experts to help you thrive in this space?  Starting a food brand

Carly Schildhaus is the Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the National Confectioners Association, the leading trade organization representing the US confectionery industry. The association promotes the unique role of chocolate, candy, gum, and mints in a happy and balanced lifestyle. Previously, Carly worked as an Associate Director of Development at The George Washington University, but now she serves as an outside reader. She holds an MA in media and public affairs from The George Washington University.  Theresa Bostic is the Co-founder of Kayla's Italian Ice, a brand that provides premium frozen desserts that are gluten, dairy, and soy-free, made with cane sugar. Her role in the company includes providing leadership development in business and training for potential franchise owners. Theresa also serves as an OE (Operating Experience) Trainer and Brand Ambassador of Delta Air Lines. She holds a bachelor's degree in human resources and an MBA in project management from Brenau University.  All

David Staley is the Co-founder and President of Digible, a company providing advanced digital marketing and technology solutions for the multifamily housing industry. He has extensive experience in digital strategy, has built businesses from the ground up at three start-up companies, and has led digital strategy initiatives for Hearst, Verizon, and Digital First Media. David has worked with some of the largest multifamily portfolios in the industry to develop digital solutions that not only drive leasing velocity but also increase NOI. He has been recognized for several prestigious awards, including the 2021 Top Workplace Awards, AdWeek's Fastest Growing Company, and the Guinness Book of World Records for the Greatest Distance Run on a Treadmill in 12 Hours. Reid Wicoff is the Co-founder and CEO of Digible. He has rich expertise in digital media, organizational change, leadership development, and enterprise strategy. Before Digible, Reid held high-level leadership positions at several Fortune 500 companies, i

 Nir Zavaro is the Founder, CEO, and Chief of Happiness at Streetwise, an agency specializing in outsourced marketing services. Founded in 2011, the company has worked with hundreds of brands in Israel and abroad. Nir is a speaker and the author of F*ck the Slides. He is also a partner in a few ventures, a mentor in various accelerators, and a lecturer on branding, sales, marketing, and storytelling.  In this episode… In today's fast-paced digital landscape, it's more important than ever to have a strong brand story. But do you have what it takes to create a great story about your brand?  A good story can help you connect with your audience and differentiate your brand from the competition. However, crafting a compelling story is easier said than done. It requires a deep understanding of your target audience, your brand's values, and the emotions you want to evoke. Nir Zavaro says hiring an agency specializing in storytelling can make all the difference. They can help you craft a narrative that resonates with

Scott Donnell is the Founder of GravyStack, the world's first gamified banking platform designed to help parents teach their kids and teens financial skills. He is also the Founder of Apex Leadership Co., a fundraising company developing fundraising plans that more effectively mobilize students and community members. His companies have equipped over six million kids nationwide with leadership, fitness, and financial competency skills.  Scott is also the Founder of Hapbee, a biotech company integrating physical fitness and mental wellness. He is a best-selling author of Value Creation Kid and hosts the Smart Money Parenting podcast, where he shares practical financial literacy tools for kids. In this episode… Are you worried about your child’s financial future? Do you want to equip your children with financial skills to help them grow into financially competent adults? You are not alone.  According to Scott Donnell, financial literacy and value creation expert, financial literacy skills prepare kids for their

Jon Tsourakis is the President and Chief Revenue Officer of Oyova, an application development and marketing agency specializing in integrating marketing and technology to create efficiencies and growth for clients. He also owns the Digital Mastermind Group, a community of digital agency owners and leaders who believe in the power of the mastermind concept to elevate the industry. Jon is a seasoned leader, strategist, and marketing expert whose entrepreneurial record includes having created two companies that averaged 4X ROI for businesses with branding and marketing models. He is extensively skilled in his industry and shines as a marketing strategist and sales developer. In this episode… Agencies and businesses need to stay relevant and competitive in order to thrive in today’s dynamic marketplace. How can you face market challenges and stand out as competition through your agency’s strategies? According to Jon Tsourakis, a seasoned marketing strategist and sales developer, hiring a team of experts specializ

Raphael Paulin-Daigle is the CEO of SplitBase, an ecommerce conversion optimization agency for fashion, luxury, and lifestyle brands. SplitBase combines rigorous customer research with A/B and AI testing to enable long-term growth for DTC luxury brands. SplitBase is at the forefront of conversion optimization, generating revenues of over $1 million for famous brands like Kiehl's and its parent company L'Oréal, and increasing conversions by double digits for many DTC brands like DIFF Eyewear and Dr. Squatch. Before founding SplitBase, Raphael led special projects at Blockstream and was a digital marketing consultant. Raphael also hosts the Minds of Ecommerce Podcast, where he interviews founders and executives of highly successful brands on their top growth strategies. In this episode… Are you looking to increase your website’s conversion rate and revenue growth? What support can help you realize this? Website conversion is an effective way to increase your sales. However, it requires expertise to build a full

Chris Heivly is the Co-founder of MapQuest, a pioneering online mapping service that has refashioned how we experience navigation and geographic information systems. He has rich experience in entrepreneurship, including company-building experience, startup expertise, and venture capital investment as an early-stage investor. Chris is a best-selling author of the Build the Fort series — a renowned guide for startup community builders. He is also a prolific blogger on his website — www.heivly.com, a contributing writer for INC.com, and a sought-after public speaker on startups, startup communities, corporate innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystem development. In this episode… Launching and nurturing a successful entrepreneurial venture takes effort. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or embarking on your entrepreneurial journey for the first time, building a thriving business requires constantly learning new ropes and evolving your processes.  Chris Heivly, a seasoned entrepreneur and renowned “startup

Lee Benson is the Founder and CEO of Execute to Win (ETW) and EXECUTE™ MasterMINDs — companies dedicated to helping businesses create value effectively. With over 30 years of experience in business, including experience founding seven companies with exits ranging from a few million dollars well into nine figures, he is a value creation expert. Lee developed the innovative MIND Methodology (Most Important Number and Drivers Methodology) — a business operating methodology designed to strengthen teams by aligning every action with their core objectives — which has seen teams he works with accelerate their growth and impact. He is also a sought-after speaker, best-selling author, and a strong advocate for continuous improvement and innovation.  In this episode… What actionable steps can you take to improve your processes and help your team work better to accelerate your growth as a business? According to Lee Benson, a seasoned expert in value creation, traditional goal-setting does not stand the test of time when

Marquel Russell is the Founder of Client Attraction University, a marketing consultancy helping businesses attract clients on auto-pilot and scale up while working 50% less. Before establishing Client Attraction University, he had a thriving entertainment company that helped clients with artist management and club promotion, building renowned organizations in the network marketing industry.  Marquel also hosts The School of Client Attraction podcast, where he shares how he has helped clients generate billions of ad impressions, millions of leads, and over $250 million in revenue. In this episode… What does attracting more clients and growing your business consistently and predictably take? Where can you get the support to realize this productively? Client acquisition is a challenging part of business. Entrepreneurs find themselves overworked trying to gain clients to grow their revenues. However, client attraction expert Marquel Russell believes it is possible to experience rapid growth without feeling chaine

Nathan Bailey is the Founder and CEO of We Are Ideation, a company renowned for its trailblazing promotional strategies. With a background in pharmaceutical sales, Nathan founded Ideation in 2009 and has grown it into a powerhouse that delivers impactful marketing and branding experiences for businesses through crafting unique promotional products. Having collaborated with industry giants like Intel and Oracle through Ideation, Nathan is an innovator reshaping the landscape of promotional marketing.  In this episode… Innovative customer acquisition and brand promotional strategies impact business growth in powerful ways. They fuel business success by creating memorable and impactful brand experiences for customers, top-talent hires, and industry leaders. How so? According to Nathan Bailey, a visionary in the marketing industry, customized branding material, such as gift packages, enables business success by enhancing your brand’s visibility and forging meaningful connections. In addition, executing your marke

Jonathan Peress is the President and CEO of ProMedia, a full-service, tech-enabled marketing agency specializing in cost-per-acquisition, direct-response, and alternative media.Under his leadership, ProMedia's annual revenue has grown by more than 120% each year, earning the agency the 10th Fastest Growing Small Business in America award from Entrepreneur Magazine and recognition in the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing businesses for three consecutive years.  Before ProMedia, Jonathan was a member of Viacom’s industry, leading the DRTV sales team and working closely on Comedy Central, Spike TV, LOGO, and Vh1. In 2020, he was named one of South Florida’s Top 40 under 40 by the South Florida Business Journal. In this episode… Having a well-built online presence has become critical for business success. How can you effectively employ direct-response marketing as a growth strategy? According to Jonathan Peress, a leader in tech-enabled marketing and alternative media, creating an effective direct-response campaig

Phil Alves is the Founder and CEO of DevSquad, a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategizing, designing, and developing SaaS products. A SaaS aficionado, Phil has led the build of 100-plus software products for bootstrapper founders, VC-funded fast-growing startups, and big enterprises such as ADP, Box, and the US ski team. In addition, he is the Founder of DevStats, a developer analytics tool that helps product and engineer leaders optimize data and improve how they measure performance metrics to build healthier teams. Phil also hosts The SaaS Origin Stories Podcast, where he sits with founders to explore their SaaS journeys and share insights on navigating the world of SaaS. In this episode… Are you aiming to thrive in the SaaS world as an entrepreneur? How can you create a SaaS product that meets your expectations and exceeds the expectations of your users?  Many SaaS entrepreneurs have intelligent ideas for creating new products, revamping existing ones, and writing custom software to transform

Ashton Shanks is the Founder and CEO of Hemon Media Group, a boutique direct-response agency specializing in testing and feedback looping to scale medium and large accounts with precision and maximum ad efficiency. Ashton is the Founder of HemonX, which teaches marketers how to manage ad spending, and also the Founder of Hemon Staffing, which connects skilled marketers with businesses that need their help.  Ashton has been honored as a speaker at AdWorld, Affiliate World, and GeekOut, where he has shared his unique approaches to digital marketing with other founders and marketers. He previously served as the CEO of Traffic and Funnels, which helps high-level consultants, coaches, and experts develop lead-generation machines to scale their businesses to seven figures a year. In this episode… Are you looking to take your marketing to the next level? Direct-response marketing may be what you're looking for.  This type of marketing is all about eliciting a specific response from your audience and can be highly ef

Lauren Von is the Founder and CEO of Quintessa Marketing, a firm that delivers comprehensive marketing services for client acquisition to attorneys and law firms. Lauren has extensive experience in the legal marketing and advertising industry. She is skilled in personal injury lead generation, intake training and development, and customer relationship management. As a successful entrepreneur, Lauren is known for her passion for supporting women in business. In this episode… As an attorney or law firm, do you need help with client acquisition? Where can you get marketing support to attract and retain clients? According to Lauren Von, partnering with a marketing agency is crucial for law firms' success. Marketing experts help those seeking legal assistance find you and, in turn, help you turn them into clients. However, it is challenging to find agencies that deliver these services exceptionally. Lauren shares her journey building an agency, cultivating a loyal client base, and establishing a reputation as a tr

Desmond Clark is the Founder and President of Bear Down Logistics, a third-party brokerage that offers dispatching and warehousing solutions. With a successful 12-year NFL career, he is now a global motivational speaker, accountability coach, two-time published author, and podcaster. Before founding Bear Down Logistics, Desmond was a Co-owner and Partner at The Insurance People, a full-service agency that caters to all types of insurance. His mission is to share his life lessons, cultivate meaningful relationships, and create value for those he interacts with.  In this episode… Every entrepreneur aspires to build a company that delivers results and is successful in its goals. So, what can you learn from an NFL player turned entrepreneur who built a successful logistics company that embodies values that led to his success on the field?  As an NFL player, Desmond Clark learned the value of discipline, hard work, and teamwork in being successful. Embodying these values has been instrumental to his transition fro